Nice work Jerry - it's certainly starting to look schmick!!
With respect to the long/tall handles it looks like you're trying to reduce the amount of bending over needed which is a very good thing.
** Yes, the old backs not like it used to be.
On the other hand, have you thought about how applying forces to the top of such long handles might tend to tip the mill over even just a little? So To counteract this the handles will need to be angled (just like you have done) to provide some vertical downward force to keep it balanced. This downward force then becomes a waste of force (and energy). The most energy efficient application of force is to apply it as close as possible to the direction required.
** I'm going to try this handle in both directions with the radius up and then down to see which way works best.
This is why I lift the log at one end, less bending over and the mill goes downhill partially assisted by gravity so minimal forces are needed in the horizontal direction especially for a softwood log. The handles are then primarily used to steer the mill around lumps and bumps in the sides of the log. The greatest forces on the handles are usually counteractive, ie pulling on one handle while pushing on another.
** I saw your BIL video and plan to let gravity help move the machine down the log. I saw one of your other mills and did you add some Teflon to the rails to make it slide easier?
The placement of a pair of handles is probably best determined by something like equidistant from the centre of gravity (COG) of the mill, and wide enough apart to get some leverage but not so wide that you have to spread you arms too far and things get too uncomfortable.
** I'm hoping that radius is enough to spreads the down force to the COG as we exert pressure to move the machine through the wood. I'm hoping the motor has more than enough power to actually try to pull it's way into the wood.
Although I realize they can probably be moved the two separate vertical handles on your mill are currently too close together and probably a long way from the COG. To get a handle either side of the COG you may need to put a handle close to or on the powerhead itself. It's amazing how for us "older guys" a small thing like lifting a log and handle placement can be the difference between feeling "tired" or "exhausted" at the end of a day of milling.
** I haven't added the handle yet that mounts to the power head that I will also use to push with and will try to get it farther out towards the motor. I'm also planning on adding another handle for the nose end operator to use.
I hope you can make sense and use of some of these comments. I'm all for experimenting and you got nothing to lose by trying this stuff so it will be very interested to see how it all works.
** Thanks for the input, believe me I have tried to learn from other mills I have seen here on the milling thread.
jerry-
